Celebrating the opening of three additional gallery spaces, and beginning its third year, lis the event-filled opening of the expanded Hallmark Museum of Contemporary Photography. Photographers Susan kae Grant, and Paul Taylor, whose diverse images bracket the spectrum of contemporary and historic styles of photography, will be featured in exhibits at HMCP's original museum gallery and, in the museum's new second-building galleries.

"Themes and Variations," by New Hampshire-based photographer and master printer Paul Taylor, begins January 17, 2008 at the museum's Gallery 85, on the corner of 3rd Street. Susan kae Grant, of Dallas, Texas, opens with "Night Journey" at Galleries 52 and 56, on the corner of 2nd Street, January 19, 2008. The museum buildings are located in downtown Turners Falls, Massachusetts. Exhibits continue through March 16, 2008.

Taylor brings the classic 19th-century photographic techniques of photogravure, ambrotype and wet plate collodion to modern image making. Taylor is one of very few photographers using these processes, as both methods are costly and labor-intensive. His "Themes and Variations" includes landscapes of the Turkish Cappadocia region, New England's Connecticut River, nudes and experimental non-camera works.

Grant's "Night Journey," the first exhibit to be housed in the new galleries, is a room-size installation of evocative, shadowy images printed on 4' x 8' sheer fabric panels and 28" x 32" black and white Iris prints. The images she created are a merging of scientific sleep research with her curiosity into the workings of the subconscious and her art.

The two artists are part of Hallmark Museum of Contemporary Photography's continuing mission to feature the work of regional, national, and international contemporary photographers. Founded in 2005 by George Rosa, III, President of Hallmark Institute of Photography, the museum's plans include offering 8-16 exhibits per year.

Opening Receptions and Artist's Illustrated Talks will be held on Saturday, January 19. Receptions for both photographers are 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Artists' Talks will be held at the Hallmark Institute of Photography Educational Center, Industrial Boulevard, Turners Falls. Taylor and Grant will speak and show slides of their work, starting at 7:30 p.m.

To allow for additional viewing of the exhibits, all museum galleries will remain open until 7:00 p.m. on this day. Refreshments are served at all of the day's events; the 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. afternoon receptions also feature live music. Both exhibits continue through March 16, 2008.

Hallmark Museum of Contemporary Photography's Gallery 85 is located on the corner of 3rd Street and Avenue A; Gallery 52 and Gallery 56 are on the corner of 2nd Street and Avenue A, in downtown Turners Falls, Massachusetts. Regular museum hours are Thursday through Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Parking is available curbside or in parking areas designated for the Shea Theater. All events are free and open to the public.